Italy recovered from an early scare to beat Albania 2-1 of their opening fixture of Euro 2024.
Nedim Bajrami had given the Albanian minnows the quickest lead in Euros historical past when he smashed previous Gianluigi Donnarumma after simply 23 seconds.
However Italy responded swiftly, with objectives from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella guaranteeing they had been forward after 17 minutes.
From there the reigning champions held their result in hold tempo with Group B leaders Spain, who beat Croatia 3-0 earlier within the day.
Mail Sport’s Aadam Patel brings the participant score sfrom Dortmund.
Italy overcame an early deficit to kick off their Euros marketing campaign with a 2-1 win over Albania
ITALY (4-3-3)
Gianluigi Donnarumma (7)
One among simply 5 Italian gamers who began that additionally started the Euro 2020 remaining in opposition to England, with Italy naming their youngest beginning lineup at an European Championship since 1988.
He may do nothing to maintain out Nedim Bajrami’s smashing opener, simply 23 seconds in.
Didn’t have a save to make in any other case till the dying levels when he made a superb cease to disclaim Ray Manaj. That’s the signal of a category keeper.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo (7)
Accomplished 66 passes within the first half – greater than anybody else on the pitch and was influential all night, down the appropriate flank and frequently dropping in as a 3rd centre-back.
Alessandro Bastoni (7)
A easy sufficient header to equalise however nonetheless did properly to get in the appropriate place and convert. Ought to maybe have completed higher to cease Bajrami getting a shot away for his aim however total, a assured efficiency capped off along with his second aim for Italy.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made a superb late cease to disclaim Ray Manaj and will do nothing for Albania’s opener
Riccardo Calafiori (7)
After years of seeing the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci on the again for Italy, the reins have now been handed to the youth, with Calafiori, 22, changing into Italy’s second-youngest defender in Euros historical past behind solely Paolo Maldini.
He was wonderful too, bombing ahead every time he may and and frequently popping out on prime in duels. Booked early within the second half however a stable show, all spherical.
Federico Dimarco (5)
At fault for Albania’s aim with a stunning error however recovered after that to place in shift. Performed an element in Italy’s equaliser with a well-worked nook routine. Changed for Darmian within the 83rd minute.
Davide Frattesi (7)
Unfortunate to not get on the scoresheet when Thomas Strakosha someway received a contact to his dinked effort to divert it onto the publish. An assured efficiency in midifeld.
Jorginho (7)
Dependable, as ever and key to the whole lot Italy did. Ensured Italy didn’t pressure it regardless of going behind early on and dictated the tempo all night. Such an clever footballer.
Inter Milan full-back Federico Dimarco was at fault for Albania’s aim with a stunning error
Nicolo Barella (8)
A shocking aim that confirmed each little bit of the standard he possesses. Retaining his eye on the ball, slicing again throughout it and smashing it into the again of the web. A strike worthy of profitable any sport. Dominant in midfield all through.
Federico Chiesa (7)
One of many stars of Euro 2020. Seems like he has one other degree within the Italian shirt. Triggered issues for the Albanian defence all sport and got here inside inches of scoring a magnificence, when his left-footed strike flashed simply broad off the publish. Got here off within the 77th minute for Andrea Cambiasso.
Gianluca Scamacca (6)
Had a fantastic probability to attain within the first half however was denied by Strakosha. Acquired himself into some good positions however didn’t actually dazzle. Substituted for Mateo Retegui within the 83rd minute.
Nicolo Barella scored a surprising aim and was dominant in midfield all through the match
Lorenzo Pellegrini (7)
Great supply for Bastoni’s equaliser that was asking to be put into the web. Picked up a first-half yellow card, taking one for the crew, as he stopped an Albanian assault earlier than heading broad when he had a fantastic probability. Had an first half. Taken off for Bryan Cristante within the 77th minute.
ALBANIA (4-2-3-1)
Thomas Strakosha (7)
Made some essential saves to maintain Albania within the sport and was very good all night. Can’t actually blame him for both of the 2 Italy objectives.
Elseid Hysaj (4)
Unforgivably ducked out of the way in which for Nicolo Barella’s aim and that was in the end the distinction. Merely can’t be doing that at any degree, by no means thoughts on the Euros.
Arlind Ajeti (6)
A troublesome night with Italy continually on the entrance foot however alongside Djimsiti, the pair battled properly although Italy’s high quality confirmed
Thomas Strakosha made some essential saves to maintain Albania within the sport and was very good
Berat Djimsiti (6)
Like Djimsiti, can take satisfaction from his efficiency. Regardless of conceding two objectives in 5 minutes, they had been sturdy sufficient to not let the sport get away from them.
Mario Mitaj (5)
Was terrorised by Chiesa who was just too good for him. It received’t get any simpler on this group although, with the prospect of Lamine Yamal on his wing when Albania play Spain subsequent weekend.
Yiber Ramadani (6)
Struggled to get a lot time on the ball however a part of an Albanian midfield that put in a stable shift when out of possession to restrict Italy as a lot as doable
Kristjan Asllani (6)
The person born in Albania however raised in Italy. One other one who labored tirelessly however the Inter Milan midfielder lacked choices every time he obtained the ball.
Nedim Bajrami gave Albania the dream begin with a unbelievable end after 23 seconds. It’ll go down as one of many moments of the match
Jasir Asani (5)
Identified to shoot on sight however didn’t take a look at Donnarumma along with his two strikes. Simply the 22 touches in 68 minutes earlier than he was changed for Arber Hoxha.
Nedim Bajrami (7)
Gave Albania the dream begin. What a second. His aim 23 seconds in is the quickest in European Championship historical past, by 44 seconds. And what a end it was too, as he took a contact to go on the surface of Bastoni earlier than rifling one in previous Donnarumma, who had no probability.
The scenes that adopted with the followers had been joyous and can go down as one of many moments of the match.
Armando Broja struggled to do something of word and his substitute, Manaj, did higher
Taulant Seferi (5)
Was asleep for Italy’s equaliser when Bastoni beat him to the header and struggled defensively down the left flank to deal with Chiesa. Simply 24 touches in 68 minutes earlier than Sylvinho eliminated him for Qazim Leci.
Armando Broja (6)
Struggled to do something of word and spoke volumes that his substitute Ray Manaj regarded far more of a menace when he got here on within the 77th minute for Broja.
Manaj practically scored what would have been a memorable historic equaliser, however Donnarumma received an important contact.
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